Beau-ties | Casual Pocket Squares

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

Since I've returned back to New York, I have been noticing a ton of pocket squares paired with totally casual looks which of course I'm really in love with so I went to Pinterest  (♥) for some more chic and casual to looks to share with you.

Pocket squares are way easier to wear than tying a bow-tie. I think the square fold, the throw, and one front are all great for casual looks. Cardigans layered under jackets keep the look perfectly polished and casual.

And I love this menswear inspired look. Totally glam and casual for early morning coffee runs.

Also this Friday... I'm going to Fashion Week again!

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee

Beau-ties | Fierce Burberry Prorsum AW15 Collection

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

On Monday, London Mens Fashion Week concluded after a long weekend of many gorgeous and interesting presentations. Burberry showed a very fierce collection on the last day. 

Burberry used a huge range of prints like leopard, paisley, camouflage, plaid, and floral and textiles from argyle, wool, sheepskin, fur, and corduroy. The collection's colour palette was mainly rich and bright colours like green, mustard yellow, blue, and purple.

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee ♥

Guest Post | Beau-ties | Tailor Your Own Suit

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

This week I'm excited to share a guest beau-ties post by Balani Custom Clothiers...

Everyone ages. We gain a few pounds, we lose a few pounds, and our bodies change shape over the years. Because of this, an otherwise perfect piece of clothing often ceases to fit. But with a few basic skills, it might not be too difficult to make slight alterations to your favorite suit, whether it be store-bought or previously tailored.

Knowing Your Limits

The first order of business is facing the facts. How do you tailor your own suit? Long answer short, you probably can't. Tailoring a suit, or any other piece of clothing for that matter, is not a task that most men can hope to handle with a level of precision adequate enough that it doesn't defeat the purpose of tailoring in the first place. Professional tailors spend literally thousands of hours of study and practice before they even begin to venture into more complex clothing alterations. If you're looking to acquire the skills necessary to tailor your own clothes, start looking into fashion design or tailoring courses at your nearest community college or technical school, and give it a try.

For the rest of you, start with the best you can. Buy your suit at a store which specializes in menswear. If you choose to have a suit tailored to your fit, don't hesitate to ask your tailor any questions you may have regarding the process. It's a great way to learn a little about what kind of changes are to be made to your suit.

Because it simply isn't feasible that someone of average, or even intermediate, skill will be able to fully tailor his own suit, this guide will focus on a couple of simple alterations that anyone can try. In addition, for those of you who feel the risk is worth the reward, a simple list of average suit alteration limitations will be provided to help you with your efforts.

Hemming 

One of the most common clothing alterations that almost anyone can do is routine hemming. Often this is done to repair frayed trousers, but in this case you'll probably be simply adjusting the length. The same can be done to the sleeves of your suit jacket as well.

You'll need something called tailor's chalk before you get started (also necessary for more complex alterations). It'll be used to mark the areas where alterations are to be made and won't leave any lasting marks on the suit. You'll also need a needle, thread, scissors, ruler, iron and ironing board, and a sewing machine if you have one. Very thin pins are also necessary, but be careful they're not wide enough to mark the fabrics. Some are very delicate.

1. Start off by wearing the dress shoes you'd expect to be wearing with the suit. Decide how much "break" you want at the bottom of the pant legs. This choice can be influenced by how you'll be wearing the suit, your own sense of style and fashion, etc. Generally, you'll want the pant leg just touching the shoe without bunching. Determine the level of break with your ruler, and then mark it with your tailor's chalk.
2. Pin the new hemline in place.
3. Make a crease with the iron to mark the new length.
4. Rip the seam out the original hemline, if there is one. This can be done with a seam ripper if you happen to have one handy.
5. Cut away the excess fabric.
6. Sew a zigzag seam at the edge of the trimmed fabric. The sewing machine is useful for this step. Then sew a single line about every half-inch or so to keep the fabric together.

Other Alterations

Simple alterations almost anyone can do include button and zipper replacement. You can also adjust the suit jacket sleeve length in a similar manner to hemming, but this is only an option for jacket sleeves that have non-working buttons or are unlined.

Advanced Alterations

Again, complex alterations are only recommended for skilled tailors or those learning to become tailors. But for those who would like to give it a try, here are a few basic guidelines in order to make the most of the fabric available for the most commonly needed alterations.

• Jacket can be shortened, as desired.
• Shoulder width can only be reduced up to just over an inch.
• Sleeves can be lengthened or shortened only a tiny bit.
• All areas of the torso can be reduced or expanded up to just over an inch.
• Pants waist can be expanded up to just over 1.5 inches and reduced.

These tailoring and style tips brought to you by the style team at Balani Custom Clothiers.

Beau-ties | Frankie Morello 'Toys' Line

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

Now I know Fall fashion season has officially started.. but I had to share this super cute collection. First- how adorable is the name of the collection, Toys by Frankie Morello?

Of all of the shows during Mens SS14 fashion week, Frankie Morello's collection in Milan is still one of my favourites. With fast food prints, fun colours, and stripes the show was fun and preppy. But when I went to their website I was even more excited to see their 'Toys' collection-- their children's line. The children's line was added to the brand in AW11 and just like the line for daddy, it's totally cool&fun with its bold colours. In contrast to the Mens line and its fast food prints, the kiddo line definitely leans to the athletic and racing influences (also seen during the Mens SS14 fashion weeks- like Orlebar Brown).

Frankie Morello at Milan Mens SS14 Fashion Week

Toys SS13

Have a Fabulous weekend!
xoxo Aimee

Beau-ties | Vintage Sunnies

Hey Belles&Beaux!

Last week I caught up on some reading and realized I haven't shared nearly enough sunnies for guys this summer. I kept seeing The RL69 Safari Eyewear Collection ads- which are fantastic by the way. Oliver Peoples was featured in GQ and Cutler and Gross was featured in GQ UK (both August 2013). If we're talking vintage-y and classic sunnies though, I always think of Warby Parker. I'm now completely in love with all four brands so I've rounded up my favourites from each.

Cutler and Gross

Each pair of Cutler and Gross frames has been entirely handmade and follows in excess of 30 individual processes that have been set in place since the first pair were handcrafted in 1969. (Cutler and Gross)

0328 Bronze

0163 Dark Turtle

0378 Grey

This frame was chosen by the Sun newspaper as their front cover image the day they announced the death of Ronnie Barker in 2005. (Cutler and Gross)

Oliver Peoples

Afton Sun

Jannisson Sun

These may be my favourite. The Gregory Peck Sunglasses were inspired from Peck's character, Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird which I just love since I completely adore old movies.

Ralph Lauren- RL67 Safari Eyewear Collection

Round Pilot Sunglasses

Camoflage Sunglasses

Retro Sunglasses

Pilot Sunglasses

Warby Parker

Sayles

Winston

I am kind of obsessed with sunglasses and have to try on every pair I see, but I'm so picky about the exact shape for my face. Which shapes are your favourite? And what do you think of these cool vintage sunnies?

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee

Beau-ties | Paris Mens SS14

Hey Fashionable Guys&Girls!

Paris closed Mens SS14 season fabulously. The week was filled with loose fits, large prints, and plenty of colour.

Paris week seemed to be much brighter than Milan and London had been. Paris always does set itself apart from the other fashion weeks anyways though- because it's Paris.

The collections from the past three week had the same mix of prints and patterns including jungle floral, camouflage, and optical illusions. Your must-buy pieces for SS14 are bomber jacket and espadrilles-- but really those are great basics to have in your closet any season.

3.1 Phillip Lim

Agnes B

Alibellus

Ann Demeulemeester

Atelier Gustavolins

Balenciaga

Carven

Beau-ties | Milan Mens SS14

Hey Fashionable Guys&Girls!

This week we saw more gorgeous menswear at Milan's Mens SS14 Fashion Week.

The schedule for week included so many incredible lines like Dolce&Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Prada, Armani (both Emporio and Giorgio), Gucci, DSQUARED2, and Missoni.

There were more subdued neutrals and navy, sportswear, mixed loose and fitted pieces, and a print-overload. If there's one piece you should invest in for next spring it's a bomber jacket. One trend I'm not loving is the visible boxers- stay classy, pull your pants up guys...

The print overload included a really fun collection by Frankie Morello, Scillian mythology by Dolce&Gabbana, lots of floral by Gucci, and jungle by DSQUARED2. The western inspiration we saw in London came to Milan too in a more "Mexican cowboy" way with ETRO's collection.

Emporio Armani

Bottega Venetta

Salvatore Ferragamo

DSQUARED2

Frankie Morello

John Richmond

Costume National Homme

Ermenegildo Zegna

ETRO

Beau-ties | London Collections Men SS14

Hey Fashionable Guys&Girls!

Earlier this week, the Mens SS14 fashion weeks started in London. And it was such a brilliant few days of mens fashion!

Like we've been seeing since this Spring (or those extended winter months), sportswear, print- including camouflage, and bold colours were featured in many of the shows. The collections showcased these trends in interesting shapes and more subdued and pastel colours (not that bold will be completely gone next Spring/Summer) along with a stronger emphasis on sportswear.

The hair trend seemed to be slicked back, but there were some that added in pastel or bold colour, and a couple with longer hair (like one of the two western inspired collections). Espadrilles were definitely the shoe trend- both with tassels or metal details or simpler- in a lot of the collections.

From western influences to Grand Prix races, 50s pop culture to what Fashion156 referenced- Peter Pan (in Bobby Abley's collection of youthful designs and images), the collections showcased during the week made their own major statements and all managed to stand out among so many other loud prints and patterns.

Some of Fashion156's photo coverage from the shows...

Agi and Sam

Astrid Andersen

Baartmans and Siegel

Chester Barrie

Christopher Shannon

Craig Green

Beau-ties | Some Favourites

Hey Fashionable Guys&Girls!

When GQ shared their picks for June, I began thinking of some of my favourites- both old and new- that would be great for the Summer holiday. Or maybe for Father's day this Sunday?

1. APC Boat Shoes. As you would expect from APC, the intricate attention to detail like the stitching is beautiful. I also really like the single hole lacing and eyelet tabs along the side. These leather boat shoes are currently on sale so stock is limited.


2. Ghurka Canyon Grey Twill Garment Bag. Perfect for dapper travelers, this bag can hold two or three suits. With it's tri-fold design it can can go from 23"x18" to 45". It also comes in Chestnut Leather, Vintage Black Leather, and Khaki Twill.


3. JoJo&Sofia Gin Cuff Links. You might remember this stylish Chicago brand from a previous Beau-ties post. And these gin cuff links are so fun. If you're more into beer though, JoJo&Sofia has that too.


4. AFrame Mali Gold Dust. I saw these while I was in Chicago though they are handmade in Istanbul, Turkey. The brand formed to help children in developing countries which you can read about on their Causes page. And besides the stylish sunnies for a good cause, they are unisex! They're totally comfortable and I wish I had gotten a pair of Senegal Fades.


5. Burberry Prosum High Shine Rain Jacket. Shine fabrics were big on the runway during Graduate week and in Resort collections (See Fashion156's hi-shine trend report). With the classic style of Burberry and the modern cool style of Burberry Prosum, this rain jacket is completely on trend and chic.


6. Ezekiel 'Bear Cub Versa' Hybrid Shorts. I'm still not over preppy printed shorts and these cubs are adorable.


7. General Knot&Co 1950s Fieldstone Floral Rayon Diamond Point Bow Tie. A brand of excellence, I don't think General Knot&Co can make a bad tie or bow-tie. They even have really helpful tutorials on tying ties and bow-ties which I shared along with a couple of my other favourites here. Extremely limited- this floral beau-tie in 'cyan, plum, mustard, and olive, and navy'- there were only 8 made.


8. Ursa Major and General Knot & Co Father's Day Gift Set. General Knot&Co collaborated with the natural skincare brand Ursa Major to make 100 stylish Father's Day gift sets. The gift set includes a Harbour Stripe Pocket Square and Stellar Shave Cream.


9. Ghurka 'Cavalier I' Canvas Duffle Bag. While there are matching duffles and other travel bags with the garment bag, I think the military olive green in this one is really cool. And love all the leather accents.

10. Greenwich Vintage Co. Cognac Brown Longwing, White Mid-Sole and Baby Blue Commando Sole. Another favourite of mine, Greenwich Vintage Co, caught my attention awhile ago. The ability to customize literally everything in their shoes is so fun. While this is a ready made pair, it is wonderfully made (as all of their shoes are!)

Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee ♥

ps. if you can't wait for Men's fashion week, check out Fashion156's Preview

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Beau-ties | Guest Post: Beautiful Shirts And All That Jazz

Hey Fashionable Guys&Girls!

It's an exciting week here at Bows&Beau-ties! Today is my very first guest post. And how fabulous that it's one of my super sweet friends and TSOF editor C.E.R.

Stay Fabulous, xoxo Aimee

"Hey guys and gals! How’s it going?

In form of gracious appreciation, I’d like to introduce myself as C.E.R. ("Le Guerrier Neuf")...the first ever guest blogger for our girl Aimee – a personal BFF of mine! – and her sky-hot fashion blog, Bows & Beau-ties. Before we take a stylish dive into the subject of this premier guest post, rude I would be to not give you a nutshell background. I’m the founder and editor-in-chief of The Sitch on Fitch, the world’s preeminent Abercrombie & Fitch Co. fan blog; and it was through TSOF that I met our chic girl who joined the privileged crew as fashion and style contributor for our global audience. With her great eye, sense, wit, and charm, she became a highly popular addition, back during the Christmas 2012 fashion season, and continued to deliver quality, engaging content for her growing following of personal fans. The imminent 2013 launch of her fashion and style blog, Bows & Beau-ties, then became an inspirational new endeavor driven by a passion for the love of excellent creativity and expression. Undoubtedly, as close friends, I gave my full support and, naturally, Bows & Beau-ties unbounded spirited on and up the haute road of stardom. Now, I am beyond the stars humbled to be a part of Bows & Beau-ties as its premier guest blogger...

This Summer 2013 season, for me, has brought an unprecedented heightened attention to the allure of beautiful shirts. And the root of this fashionable ailment of the mind is Baz Luhrmann's revolutionary 2013 3D film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's Great American Novel, The Great Gatsby (1922). You see, I personally profess to you - as a guy myself - that a man's shirt is of the highest indicators of who a man in question really is. It isn't for nothing that Daisy Buchanan finds herself in awe of the designs and fabrics, billowing down and around her presence, of Jay Gatsby's shirts as he throws them spirited in the air for both of their passionate amusement in the film. "I've never seen such, such beautiful shirts," Daisy expresses in a quote straight out of the original novel source. So that by the time that the story reaches the point of entry into climax of Luhrmann's adaptation, she admits softly in love of Gatsby to him, though in flair of melancholic adoration, "You always look so cool. The man in the cool, beautiful shirts." ...And that is a golden hook which hits at the heart of Gatsby, man and film. Summer of Gatsby, let it be then, with all the gorgeous shirts in play!

And when I think of beautiful shirts, only Prada comes to mind for me. Principally, I believe this is so because of this one particular piece from the iconic series, Sex and the City (1998-2004): the Carrie, Berger, and Prada shirt ordeal. I watched that piece when I was about 13 or 14 years-old, and it left a deep impression on me. That red Prada shirt represents a lot of symbolism both in the Carrie/Berger situation and in general societal/cultural terms; but more relevant to style, it was the key moment in which men's fashion took front stage, for a very meaningful and important point, in a show otherwise all about Manolos and what else have the Sex girls. Furthermore, it is a preeminent example of how you can tell a man by way of the shirt. Berger is taken aback by the item, for personal style and financial reasons, but as Carrie dotingly declares to him after gifting him with it, "It's the 'I-never-say-fabulous' fabulous shirt. You have to have the 'I-never-say-fabulous' fabulous shirt because you are the most fabulous of all the fabulous men who never say fabulous." I LOVE her delivering that line; but what comes for them is very profound, and it was all symbolized in that beautiful, red Prada shirt.

Fate be great, for as we have it, Miuccia Prada herself contributed to the costume design of select pieces, for Luhrmann's Gatsby, in collaboration with the filmmaker's wife, the Oscar-winner Catherine Martin. Unfortunately, however, Prada worked on womens pieces while the menswear was taken care in part by Brooks Brothers (from whom Fitzgerald himself liked to obtain his stylish wares of the day). It's all relevant, nevertheless, and actor Tobey Maguire, who plays as character Nick Carraway with striking resemblances to Fitzgerald, modeled for the Prada Fall-Winter 2011/2012 campaign.

Check out this awesome compilation of my photos of Tobey for Prada as seen in the September, October (incidentally featuring the handsome Leo DiCaprio who stars as Gatsby along with Tobey), and November 2011 issues of the flagship American GQ men's fashion & style magazine...

Now, I myself may be among the most fabulous of all the fabulous men who sparingly say fabulous - as an English language aficionado, I find it a very endearing word! - but this has been more than fabulous to say the least! I hope you've enjoyed my premier guest post!

In War,
Le Guerrier Neuf

P.S. Follow me on my personal Twitter and check out The Sitch on Fitch!"

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Beau-ties | London Collections Coming Soon

 Hey Fashionable Guys&Girls!

It is time for Menswear S/S! London Collections Spring/Summer 2014 shows will be Sunday 16 June to Tuesday 18 June.

Dolce&Gabbana will officially open the fashion showcases with its "Presentation of Summer 2014 Tailoring Collection & Menswear Store Opening" on the 15th of June at 19:00, attendance by private invitation only. And during the week "The Best of British Menswear" will be presented by brands like Rag&Bone, Alexander McQueen, and Tom Ford. The full schedule can be found here. In a countdown to the fashion presentations, London Collections has been sharing teaser videos (two of three have been released so far).

GQ shared some exclusive designer previews with exciting designer mood boards with everything from rich 60s/70s inspiration (El Tautz) to the Monaco Grand Prix (Orlebar Brown), bright colours and prints (Richard James & Duchamp) to clean and modern inpiration (Nicole Farhi).

Duchamp

Hardy Amies

Nicole Farhi

Orlebar Brown

Stay tuned for a menswear runway review here on Bows&Beau-ties on 20 June...

Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee ♥

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